I've been motorboating with friends to locations too remote to go with my 16. On the lake and river system I am on, a 30 foot sloop rig monohull would be ideal. It woud offer plenty of room for the family, motor to go through narrow channels and in no wind.

My dream boat would be a cruising catamaran like a Gemini 105, but that's outside my price range.

I can see myself doing the move in the next 5 years. I would keep my 16 to keep sailing nearby and get the adrenaline rush.

For the time being, I am dreaming and familiarizing myself with what's out there.

Let me know when you find a cruising cat 30 footer for under 50k, an old 26 farrier tri will still cost 50k, remember a 30 foot mono would be a fixed keel no going to shore and also spendy, and tough to trailer. I have had a couple Mac 25's and recommend that type of swing keel.

Fixed keel will be perfect where I am. I have a waterfront seasonal lot in a campground where I spend most of the summer in our trailer. The lake is deep so fixed keel is not an issue. If I buy one, I won't trailer it either. I'll store it at the local marina in the winter, have them put it in the water in the spring and sail it upriver (120km) to the campsite and leave it on a mooring for the summer.

I will still dream about a cruising cat, but will end up with a fixed keel monohull. It does not help that I can see a Gemini 105 on the lake either sailing or on a mooring nearby on a regular basis. I passed him with my 16 last year, while it was easy, it took longer to overtake him than it takes to overtake a monohull.

I've been looking at some C&C and Hunter in the 27 to 31 feet range. I'd like an inboard diesel and still debating between wheel or tiller. I know the pros and cons of both, just can't decide. The decision will probably be made for me when I find the right boat.